This season, the Idaho Vandals women's basketball team had a mission: to prove that rankings are just numbers, not destiny. Picked to finish seventh in the Big Sky Conference, they took to the court like players determined to rewrite the playbook. Every dribble was purposeful, every rebound a battle won and every shot taken with the belief that they could defy the odds.
With the third head coach in three seasons and only three returning players, the Vandals were doubted and deemed to be in rebuilding mode. However, Head Coach Arthur Moreira and the Vandals thought differently. Through the ups and downs of the season, they finished with an 18-12 (10-8) record and showed that the future is bright in Moscow.
"The season was good for us. If you had asked me [on the day] that Carrie Eighmey left that I would take over, only have a couple of players return, and this team would win 18 games, I would have signed up for that," Moreira said.
When the Vandals stepped foot on the court, they had a team motto to 'prove them wrong.' Throughout the season, each game and each week, the Vandals held themselves to that standard and proved that they were a top contender in the Big Sky.
"In July, we bonded quickly. We couldn't take this for granted because we knew we had such a special group," sophomore guard Hope Hassmann said. "We knew we were a great team, and we worked so hard throughout July, August and September to get ready. Once the season started, we were able to prove to people who we were and what we could do, and people quickly realized what we were capable of."
The Vandals landed nine transfers including the talented backcourt duo of graduate guard Olivia Nelson and Hassmann. The duo combined for 800 points, and Nelson, with her team-leading 432 points, eclipsed 2,000 points for her career.
Alongside the electric backcourt duo, the Vandals had a frontcourt duo with graduate forwards Rosie Schweizer and Jennifer Aadland who were a huge part of the Vandals success as well. The transfers not only helped the Vandals on the court but also helped set the culture and foundation of the team on the court and will have a lasting impact on Idaho basketball.
The Vandals' experience was first tested at the beginning of the season as they faced Big 12 opponent BYU and West Coast Conference border rival Washington State in their first two games. The Vandals lost both but showed that they would be a force in the Big Sky.
Idaho anchored that losing streak with a seven-game winning streak, which got them into a rhythm. Everyone stepped up when their number was called.
They had their highs and lows, including a six-game winning streak soon after their first winning streak. However, they ended the season losing eight of their last eleven games, and the ups and downs took their toll on them when it mattered the most.
Idaho fell to the red-hot Montana Grizzlies in the Big Sky tournament quarterfinal 65-54. This is their third consecutive quarterfinal exit, second straight to Montana.
Idaho has the potential to have ten returning players, including six who played meaningful minutes this season, including Hassmann, junior guard Anja Bukvic, junior forward Sarah Brans and freshman guards Ana Pinheiro, Ella Uriarte and Ana Beatriz Passos da Silva.
Another exciting prospect is redshirt freshman guard Kelbie Washington, who did not play in 2024-25, but should be an exciting player to watch next season.
The other possibly returning players are junior forward Catelyn Deaver and redshirt junior guard Mackenzie Curtis, who played sparingly for the Vandals but could be considerable contributors to the Vandals next season.
With a culture in place, Moreira is looking for players to complement his team and fill the shoes of the four departing seniors.
"It starts with the people that are returning," Moreira said. "We're in a blessed position. Although we lose Olivia [Nelson], Rosie [Schweizer], Jennifer [Aadland] and Vitoria [Carvalho] to graduation, we bring back six of the nine rotation players. That's more than probably any other team in the league."
Moreira is looking to fill out next season's roster with players who have a hunger and work ethic to continue to move this program in the right direction.
"They need to be competitive and tough. I can make you a better basketball player and more skilled, but I don't want to have to coach effort," Moreira said.
This was a special season for the Vandals.
"This is the best decision I made," Hassmann said. "I had such a fun year with the team. It was such a special group of girls. I'm grateful for the year we had. Next year, I'm excited to continue our legacy and hopefully get to March Madness."